Big CB Meetings in Brooklyn and Manhattan, Starting Tonight

There are several important community board meetings scheduled this week in Manhattan and Brooklyn — two one of them tonight.

Manhattan Community Board 7 is set to vote this evening on a DOT proposal to install curb extensions at 72nd Street and Riverside Drive. The plan is intended to slow traffic and reduce crossing distances for pedestrians going to and from Riverside Park. But some oppose the project, claiming the changes would interfere with deliveries and mar the park’s historical character. Voices of reason will be needed to see this proposal through. Tonight’s meeting is for 6:30 at Fordham University, 113 W. 60th Street.

Also tonight, DOT will again present the proposal for the Clinton Hill/Bedford-Stuyvesant Slow Zone to Brooklyn CB 3. The proposed Slow Zone area averages 62.4 traffic injuries annually, according to DOT, with six severe injuries or fatalities per road mile. Yet CB 3 voted against the Slow Zone in February. Board chair Tremaine Wright told Streetsblog that street safety “is not an issue” in the area, and local Council Member Robert Cornegy said recently that he is skeptical of DOT data and the Slow Zone process. The CB 3 meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 1360 Fulton Street, Room 302. [Update: Streetsblog has learned that this item was dropped from tonight’s CB 3 agenda.]

Here’s what else is happening on the calendar this week.

Today: DOT will present preliminary recommendations from a study of traffic conditions in Highland Park and East New York to the Brooklyn CB 16 transportation committee. 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday: After months of delays, Manhattan CB 10 is scheduled to vote on a road diet for Morningside Avenue. The DOT proposal was endorsed by CB 9 last year, but CB 10 members who opposed reducing the number of car lanes had held up the project before chair Henrietta Lyle gave it her blessing earlier this month. The board is expected to sign off, but a strong show of support would help ensure DOT can get to work in July. 6 p.m.

Wednesday: In partnership with Manhattan CB 7 and the Lincoln Square BID, DOT will host a public workshop on pedestrian safety improvements to the W. 65th Street “bow tie” area around Broadway and Columbus Avenue. 6:30 p.m.

Thursday: DOT will present preliminary recommendations from a study of traffic conditions in Highland Park and East New York to Brooklyn CB 5. 6:30 p.m.

Saturday: Join Riders Alliance to help promote an upcoming meeting on improving bus service on Woodhaven Boulevard. Volunteers will be handing out flyers at area bus stops, starting at noon. Doughnuts provided. RSVP requested.

Keep an eye on the calendar for updated listings. Got an event we should know about? Drop us a line.